Portable sleeping compartment

ABSTRACT

A portable sleeping compartment is foldable into an open and closed position and forms a compact weatherproof container. In one embodiment the compartment is removably mounted on the top of a car, and in another larger embodiment the compartment is mounted on a trailer and towed behind the car. The compartment advantageously has front and rear panels readily pivoted about a hinge on a floor panel. The three panels have a highly desirable shell configuration to enhance the formation of the enclosure. A flexible weatherproof cover is secured at the top of both the front and rear panels and conveniently folds into place when the front and rear panels are moved to the upright or open position.

United States Patent [191 Fulton et al.

PORTABLE SLEEPING COMPARTMENT Inventors: James F. Fulton, Mamaroneck,

N.Y.; Joseph A. Rinaldi, Oradell, NJ.

Fulton & Partners, Inc., New York, NY.

Filed: Apr. 25, 1972 Appl. No.: 247,428

Assignee:

US. Cl 296/23 R, 296/27, 135/1 A llnt. Cl B60p 3/32 Field of Search296/23 R, 23 MC,

296/26, 27; 135/1 A, l R

References Cited UN1TED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONSGreat Britain 296/23 R Primary ExaminerKenneth H. Betts AssistantExaminer-John A. Carroll [57] ABSTRACT A portable sleeping compartmentis foldable into an open and closed position and forms a compactweatherproof container. In one embodiment the compartment is removablymounted on the top of a car, and in another larger embodiment thecompartment is mounted on a trailer and towed behind the car. Thecompartment advantageously has front and rear panels readily pivotedabout a hinge on a floor panel. The three panels have a highly desirableshell configuration to enhance the formation of the enclosure.

A flexible weatherproof cover is secured at the top of both the frontand rear panels and conveniently folds into place when the front andrear panels are moved to the upright or open position.

4 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PMENTED I 3,785,693

sum 2 [1F 6 PATENIEDMNIWM 3.785.693

SHEEI 3 OF 6 PATENTEU JAN 1 51974 SHEET 5 [IF 6 1 PORTABLE SLEEPINGCOMPARTMENT BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE An increased amount of leisuretime and a desire to travel have caused an increased demand for campingand hotel facilities. Because of the high cost of motels and hotels andthe desire to be free of concern about reservations, and to be, closerto nature, camping has become increasingly popular. There is presentlyavailable a variety of camping equipment which provides sleepingaccommodations, including all sorts of tents, towed house trailers,campers mounted on truck chassis, converted large station wagons, andtowed tent trailers. Tents are often unstable and difficult to set upwhile some other sleeping arrangements, such as house trailers, arerelatively expensive.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE In one embodiment of the present invention afoldable sleeping compartment is adapted to be removably secured to thetop of an automobile. The compartment includes three rigid andlightweight panels, preferably of plastic resin reinforced with glassfiber fabric. The panels are configured generally in a highly desirableshell form to enhance enclosure formed thereby. The compartment isconstructed in a highly desirable manner yet relatively simple mannerwith the rear and front end panels each pivotally hinged toa floorpanel. The front and back panels fold over to a closed position forminga low profile weatherproof readily transportable enclosure, which holdsa mattress and other members of the compartment. A flexible cover issecured to the top of the front and rear panels and may be removablyfastened to one side of those panels. Conveniently, the coverautomatically folds into position when the panels are pivoted to theopen or upright position. An extension of the flexible cover forms acanopy over an open side to provide entry to the compartment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the same general type ofcompartment, instead of being mounted on the top of a car, is mounted ona trailer adapted to be towed by a car. In this larger trailerembodiment, a side door entrance is pivotally mounted so that it can beconveniently stored in the compartment in the closed position and willautomatically move to a vertical position when the end panels are liftedto their upright position.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a sleepingcompartment of relatively simple construction which, in one embodiment,is adapted to be removably secured to the top of a car and which, inanother embodiment, may be towed behind a car and wherein each of theembodiments of the compartment is l relatively low in cost; (2) easilyerected and collapsed to its folded position by one person without usingspecial tools wherein parts automatically fold into position; (3) sturdyand wind resistant when erected; (4) not damp, as the floor is raisedabove the ground; (5) convenient to store when not in use; and (6)lightweight and provides a compact structure having a low windresistance for convenient transport.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the detailedspecification, claims, and drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the sleepingcompartment of the present invention mounted on top of an automobile,

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the compartment of FIG. 1 with thecompartment in the folded position,

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the compartment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side plan view of the unfolded compartment of FIG.1,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of thee unfolded compartment of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a top cross sectional the taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a side cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5 andshowing the pivoting arrangement of the back panel in its open verticalposition,

FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view, similar to FIG. 8, showing theback panel in its closed horizontal positron,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge structure of thesupport bar,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating the foldable sleeping compartment mounted on atrailer and pulled by an automobile,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged side plan view of the trailer compartment of FIG.11 in the process of being opened and unfolded with certain partsremoved for clarity of illustration,

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of the trailer compartment of FIG. 12 in itsunfolded and erected position.

FIG. 14 is a side cross sectional view of the trailer compartment ofFIG. 12 in its folded position,

FIG. 15 is a top cross sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG.14,

FIG. 16 is a side cross sectional view of the trailer compartment ofFIG. 12 in its opened position without the flexible cover for clarity ofillustration,

FIG. 17 is a top view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16,

FIG. 18 is a side cross sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG.15, and

FIG. 19-is a side cross sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG.15.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE The sleeping compartment of the present invention isdescribed below in connection with two embodiments. The firstembodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-10, is of a foldable compartment which isremovably secured to the top of an automobile. The second embodiment,shown in FIGS. l1-19, is mounted on a trailer.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sleeping compartment 11 of the firstembodiment is adapted to be removably attached to the top of anautomobile 10. The compartment 1]. includes a rectangularly shaped floorpanel 12 having an upraised flange 34 extending about its four edges.The floor panel 12 is preferably large enough to accommodate twosleeping bags side-by-side or a double bed mattress. It is of sufficientstrength and rigidity so that it will support two persons who may standor recline on it. For example, the floor panel 12 may be of a mat orcloth of glass fibers which reinforce a polyester plastic resin. Thefloor panel 12 has attached thereto, or integral therewith, four legswhich terminate in rubber suction cups 30 which are adapted to removablysecure the panel to the top of an automobile. In addition, four straps29 are attached to the floor panel 12 and have hooks at their end whichfit on the rain gutters of the automobile to aid in securing thecompartment to the top of the automobile. Advantageously, when not inuse, the compartment 11 can be folded and may be removed from the carand stored in a garage or other convenient storage location.

The sleeping compartment 11 is advantageously provided with a frontpanel 13 and a back panel 18 which are pivoted on the floor panel 12.The front panel 13 and back panel 18 are of relatively rigid andlightweight construction, for example, of a polyester plastic resinreinforced by glass fibers in the form of a mat or cloth, although otherlightweight materials, such as aluminum may alternately be used. Thefront panel 13 has a top flange 14, a bottom flange 15 and side flanges16 and 17. Similarly, the back panel 18 has a top flange 19, a bottomflange 20 and side flanges 21 and 22.

A flexible cover 23 is removably attached to the tops of the panels 13and 18 and is preferably integrally formed with a side flap 24 and witha canopy 26. The panel 18 is of a greater length than panel 13 toprovide a pitched overhead for rain drainage. These covers, 23, 24, and26 are of a weatherproof and flexible material, for example, of a vinylplastic resin covered canvas or of a rubberized nylon cloth. Normally,the cover 23 is removed from the front and back panels 13 and 18 onlywhen replacing the cover. The side flap 24 can be conveniently snappedonto the side flanges 17 and 22 and has a screen 25 or a flexibleplastic window fitted thereon. The side flap 24 can be readily unsnappedfrom the flanges 17 and 22 and stored within the folded compartment whenthe compartment is folded down. Similarly, the canopy 26 may be attachedin place by means of hooks 26a to a U-shaped extension bar 27 and whenunhooked can be stored within the compartment when it is folded down.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the compartment, when folded down with thefront panel 13 and back panel 18 in their horizontal positions, forms alow silhouette unit of relatively low wind resistance and which isweatherproof and may be used as a top car carrier to store a certainamount of baggage. For example, the ladder 31 which aids the passengersin climbing into the erected sleeping compartment 11, is preferablystored with the folded compartment when traveling. As shown in FIG. 3,the U-shaped extension bar 27 slides freely within a bore within thesupport 27a which is integrally formed with the floor panel 12.

A second U-shaped support bar 32 is pivotally mounted by pivot pins 34'supported by the flange of the floor panel 12. The U-shaped support bar32 is swung from its horizontal position (when the compartment is foldedshut) to its vertical position (when the compartment is opened) bypivoting it about its pivot pins 34', as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 69, the front panel 13 and back panel 18are pivotally hinged to the floor panel 12. The pivot means on each ofthe two panels are the same and include a rod 37, on one side, which isintegrally formed with the front and back panels and which fits within abore 38 in the flange 34 of the floor panel l2.

On the other side of each of the front and back panels a foldable metalstrap 36 is pivotally connected to the panels and is hingedly connectedto the flange 34.

When the owner wishes to go on a trip, he will fasten the foldedcompartment, as shown in FIG. 2, to the top of the car using the suctioncups 30 and straps 29. For example, the folded compartment may be heldby ropes from the roof of the garage so that he need only drive the carunder the compartment and lower the compartment onto the car. The ladder31, the flexible cover 23, and the bars 27 and 32 are all within thefolded compartment, along with possibly a mattress or sleeping bags oran inflatable mattress. When the owner arrives at the camping ground,and wishes to erect the sleeping compartment, he will first lift theback panel 18 to its vertical position and lock it in place by fullyextending the rigid metal strap 36, as shown in FIG. 8. He will thenlift the front panel 13 to its vertical position, as illustrated in FIG.4, and similarly lock it in place using the rigid metal strap 36. Theerection of the front and back panels will automatically, as shown inFIG. 4, cause the top cover 23 to be come taut. He will then fasten theside flap 24 to the respective side flanges using snaps, a zipper orother fastening means. He will also lift the support bar 32 to itsvertical position and pull out the extension bar 27. He will then attachthe hooks 26a at the end of canopy 26 to the extension bar 27 and holddown the extension bar 27 by using the flexible straps 28 which hookunderneath the automobile 10. The ladder will then be fixed on theflange 34. Thus, the compartment is eas ly and conveniently made readyfor use. If desired, the canopy 26, after the occupants are within thesleeping compartment, may be removed from the bar 27 and secured to theflanges 16, 21, and 34 to provide a more weather-tight structure.

SLEEPING COMPARTMENT MOUNTED ON A TRAILER The embodiment of FIGS. 11-l9is in the form of a trailer 50 which is adapted to be towed behind anautomobile 51. The trailer body is mounted in the usual manner on anaxle with freely rotatable tires 53. The trailer body, as illustrated inFIG. 14 in its closed position and in FIG. 16 in its open position,consists generally of a floor panel 54, two opposite side walls 66 and67 secured to the floor panel 54, a front panel 55, and a back panel 56.The front and back panels 55 and 56 are advantageously configured asshells which enhance the formation of the enclosure in both the open andclosed position. As with the embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. l-lO, thelength of the shell shaped panels are such that when placed in theclosed position the interior of floor panel 54 is completely covered ina watertight enclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the panels 55 and 56are of a complementary length so that there free ends mate to form awater-tight enclosure when in the closed position. The floor panel 54consists of a bottom protective panel 57, cross-beams 58, and a toppanel 59. For example, the panels 57 and 59 may be of plywood.

The front panel 55 and back panel 56 are of similar configuration andpreferably are of polyester plastic resin reinforced with glass fiberfabric. To provide the desired shell shape, each of the panels 55 and 56has a flat portion 68, 68, a front side flange 69, 69', an opposite sideflange 70, 70', and a bottom flange 71, 71.

The bottom flanges 71, 71' are hinged to the floor panel 54 at pivots 61and 61.

A flexible cover 63 which may be in one or two sections is attached tothe top of panels 55 and 56. The flexible cover 63 is integrally formedwith the side covers 64 which are removably secured, for example, bysnaps to the flanges of the end panels and the top of the side walls66-67. The side covers 64 have flexible screens 65 or flexible windowsand the side walls 66-67, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, may be integralwith the bottom panel 57.

A bottom door member 74 is hinged on the side wall 66, and a top door 75is hinged on a top door frame 73. In turn the top door frame 73 ishinged, at hinges 90, to an elongated door frame member 92. The doorframe member 92 is parallel with a second elongated door frame member91. The two parallel elongated door frame rods or members 91 and 92 arepivotally connected at their lower ends to side wall 66 and arepivotally connected at their top ends to a roof plate 93. The other endof roof plate 93 is supported by similarly pivoted elongated rod members94 and 95. The roof plate is secured to, and supports, the flexiblecover 63.

Thus, the top door 75 and top door frame 73 may be pivoted about hinges90 and folded from the upright position of FIG. 16 to the storedposition, illustrated in FIG. 15.

Many arrangements of tables, mattresses and toilets are possible withinthe trailer of the present invention. The specific arrangement of FIGS.14-19 provides a compact and yet comfortable grouping of tables andbeds. In its open and unfolded position, shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, afirst mattress 80, and a second mattress 81 are positioned on oppositesides of a table 82. Another mattress 83 is positioned transversely atthe opposite end of the trailer and still another mattress 84 can bepositioned in its center.

In its folded position the table and mattress provide a compactstructure which provides room for storage as illustrated in FIGS. 14,15, 18, and 19. Thus when folded, the table 82 is placed in a verticalposition and the mattresses 80 and 81 and the table legs are placed onthe cover support 86. A cover 85 on support 86 provides access to astorage compartment formed by support 86. A similar cover 85 providesaccess to the similar compartment formed by support 86'. Two additionalstorage compartments are formed by support 87 having top access doors 88and 89 permitting entry to the compartment formed by the support 87. Themattresses 83 and 84, and the flat rigid boards supporting thosemattresses, are held by shoulders 96 and 97 formed in a vertical portionof support 87.

The owner of the trailer 50 would normally keep it parked in his garageor yard. When he is ready to take it on a trip he hitches the car 51 tothe trailer 50. During the trip, the folded panels 55 and 56 provide awater-tight enclosure for storage and, in addition, offers little windresistance. When he arrives at the camping ground the panels 55 and 56are readily moved to their vertical position. This automatically andconveniently lifts the door and frame members to their vertical positionand the top cover 63 is unfolded into the open position. He then fastensdown the two side covers, for example, by using snaps and then pivotsthe top door portions into position. The mattresses, and their supportboards, can then easily and quickly be placed into position, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17.

It will be understood that the foregoing description with the details ofexemplary structure is not to be construed in any way to limit theinvention, but that modifications may be made thereto without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A portable and foldable sleeping compartment including a floor panel,a front panel, and a rear panel, means to pivotally connect the bottomportions of said front and rear panels adjacent opposite ends of saidfloor panel, said panels being configured generally as shells to enhancethe formation of the enclosure in the open and closed position, supportmeans to hold said front and rear panels in an upright position, and aflexible water resistant top cover connected to the top portions of saidfront and rear panels and which automatically folds into position whensaid front and rear panels are moved to a vertical position, one of saidfront and rear panels being of greater length than the other wherebysaid top cover provides a pitched overhead for rain drainage, andwherein said panels configured as shells includes said floor panelconsisting of a generally flat floor portion for mounting on transportmeans and a flange extending from said flat portion, and wherein each ofsaid front and back panels consists of a generally flat portion and aflange extending from said flat portion, and wherein the free ends ofsaid front and back panels mate to form a storage enclosure when in theclosed position and wherein a support bar is pivoted on said floor paneland extends between said front and rear panels to support said front andrear panels in their vertical position.

2. A portable and foldable sleeping compartment including a floor panel,a front panel, and a rear panel, means to pivotally connect the bottomportions of said front and rear panels adjacent opposite ends of saidfloor panel, said panels being configured generally as shells to enhancethe formation of the enclosure in the open and closed position, supportmeans to hold said front and rear panels in an upright position, and aflexible water resistant top cover connected to the top portions of saidfront and rear panels and which automatically folds into position whensaid front and rear panels are moved, and wherein said panels configuredas shells includes said floor panel consisting of a generally flat floorportion for mounting on transport means and a flange extending from saidflat portion, and wherein each of said front and back panels consists ofa generally flat portion and a flange extending from said flat portion,and wherein free ends of said front and back panels mate to form astorage enclosure when in the closed position, and wherein a support baris pivoted on said floor panel and supports said front and rear panelsin their vertical position, and wherein a canopy is provided integrallyformed with said top cover, and wherein an extension bar is slidablyconnected to said floor panel and is extendable outwardly therefrom, andwherein means are provided to removably connect said canopy to saidextension bar.

3. The compartment of claim 2 wherein a flexible water resistant sidecover is secured to the side portions of said front and rear panels whensaid panels are in their vertical position.

4. The compartment of claim 3 wherein means are connected to said floorpanel to mount said compartment on the top of an automobile, and whereinsaid means includes flexible suction cups attached to the underside ofsaid floor panel and straps attached at one of their ends to said floorpanel and having hooks attached at their free ends for attachment to theautomobile.

1. A portable and foldable sleeping compartment including a floor panel,a front panel, and a rear panel, means to pivotally connect the bottomportions of said front and rear panels adjacent opposite ends of saidfloor panel, said panels being configured generally as shells to enhancethe formation of the enclosure in the open and closed position, supportmeans to hold said front and rear panels in an upright position, and aflexible water resistant top cover connected to the top portions of saidfront and rear panels and which automatically folds into position whensaid front and rear panels are moved to a vertical position, one of saidfront and rear panels being of greater length than the other wherebysaid top cover provides a pitched overhead for rain drainage, andwherein said panels configured as shells includes said floor panelconsisting of a generally flat floor portion for mounting on transportmeans and a flange extending from said flat portion, and wherein each ofsaid front and back panels consists of a generally flat portion and aflange extending from said flat portion, and wherein the free ends ofsaid front and back panels mate to form a storage enclosure when in theclosed position and wherein a support bar is pivoted on said floor paneland extends between said front and rear panels to support said front andrear panels in their vertical position.
 2. A portable and foldablesleeping compartment including a floor panel, a front panel, and a rearpanel, means to pivotally connect the bottom portions of said front andrear panels adjacent opposite ends of Said floor panel, said panelsbeing configured generally as shells to enhance the formation of theenclosure in the open and closed position, support means to hold saidfront and rear panels in an upright position, and a flexible waterresistant top cover connected to the top portions of said front and rearpanels and which automatically folds into position when said front andrear panels are moved, and wherein said panels configured as shellsincludes said floor panel consisting of a generally flat floor portionfor mounting on transport means and a flange extending from said flatportion, and wherein each of said front and back panels consists of agenerally flat portion and a flange extending from said flat portion,and wherein free ends of said front and back panels mate to form astorage enclosure when in the closed position, and wherein a support baris pivoted on said floor panel and supports said front and rear panelsin their vertical position, and wherein a canopy is provided integrallyformed with said top cover, and wherein an extension bar is slidablyconnected to said floor panel and is extendable outwardly therefrom, andwherein means are provided to removably connect said canopy to saidextension bar.
 3. The compartment of claim 2 wherein a flexible waterresistant side cover is secured to the side portions of said front andrear panels when said panels are in their vertical position.
 4. Thecompartment of claim 3 wherein means are connected to said floor panelto mount said compartment on the top of an automobile, and wherein saidmeans includes flexible suction cups attached to the underside of saidfloor panel and straps attached at one of their ends to said floor paneland having hooks attached at their free ends for attachment to theautomobile.